Rep. John Boehner of Ohio was re-elected Wednesday as House Republican leader, tasked with reviving a party diminished in numbers and fighting to stay relevant as Democrats take over the White House and strengthen their majorities in Congress.

Even before the administration announced a 60-day, 60-stop promotion tour Wednesday, a steady stream of lawmakers had accepted invitations to discuss Social Security with Bush at the White House, aboard Air Force One and in the presidential limousine.

Call them Newt's disciples. These hard-charging conservatives learned their political tactics in the House from former Speaker Newt Gingrich, the one-time backbencher-turned-Pied Piper who led the 1994 Republican revolution that swept Congress.

Call them Newt's disciples. During the past decade, a handful of Gingrich conservatives moved to the Senate, determined to push it rightward and break hidebound rules that would inhibit their bare-knuckles House style. Come January, there will be more than a hardy few of them.